Axios

A developing economic crisis in Afghanistan is adding a fresh layer of turmoil in the country.

Why it matters: “[T]he value of the Afghan currency could collapse, inflation could accelerate and the mix of violence and chaos could be prolonged,” the AP writes.

Streamers will hold a one-day blackout on Twitch to raise awareness of hateful practices on the platform.

Why it matters: The movement, #ADayOffTwitch, is an attempt to draw attention and support for streamers facing — and fighting against — hate raids.

Vox Media, home to brands like "The Verge," "New York Magazine" and "SB Nation," is acquiring "Punch," a media company that covers drinks and cocktail culture, executives tell Axios.

Why it matters: The deal, which closed Monday, marks the fifth acquisition for Vox Media in the past three years, and its ninth overall.

Valuations for U.S. venture-backed companies are at record highs, per data released this morning by PitchBook.

Between the lines: It's the new normal, in which nontraditional investors are traditional, unicorns are pigeons and startups are in the driver's seat.

While critics allege YouTube puts profits over public safety, product head Neal Mohan insists that the Google-owned video site is working to be a better content moderator, in part because it is good for business.

Why it matters: Users spend billions of hours watching videos on YouTube, and the site's content recommendations shape how that time is spent. Facebook and Twitter tend to get more attention on content moderation, but YouTube remains an equally important information battleground.

We have a shortage of semiconductors in part because of ... a shortage of semiconductors.

Driving the news: The chip shortage has entered a new phase. The main problem during the first half of the year was a dearth of wafers — but now that we have more wafers, the problem is assembling those wafers into integrated circuits for circuit boards, according to a report by IHS Markit.

The business community’s love affair with the Fed’s unusually accommodative monetary policy may be over.

Why it matters: The Fed has signaled that it expects to soon announce plans to taper quantitative easing (QE), an emergency monetary policy program designed to keep interest rates low and bond markets very liquid.

Traders have their eyes on COVID-19 and inflation.

Why it matters: Sentiment can drive the direction of markets in the short term as traders react to daily news headlines.

The business community’s love affair with the Federal Reserve’s unusually accommodative monetary policy may be over.

Why it matters: The Fed has signaled that it expects to soon announce plans to taper quantitative easing (QE), an emergency monetary policy program designed to keep interest rates low and bond markets very liquid.

Crude oil prices were jumping Monday morning, but they've been on a largely downward path this month with especially steep declines last week.

Why it matters: The Delta variant's spread is one reason for the price drops as traders assess the trajectory of the demand recovery.

Rachel Maddow reached a multiyear deal with NBCUniversal that takes her from being MSNBC show host to content brand and "studio boss," as a source put it.

Why it matters: On top of "The Rachel Maddow Show," she'll run an as-yet-unnamed production company that could include books, documentaries, movies, TV series and podcasts.

With the Delta variant surging, college students are not ready to resume campus life as normal, according to a new Generation Lab/Axios poll.

Why it matters: For four-year students who enrolled in 2019-20, there is just one year remaining to enjoy something resembling a regular college experience.